Fear is an unpleasant feeling. It is more intense than anxiety. This is why many people would do everything just to be able to get away from a frightening situation.We would do everything to be able to neutralize a fearful event. But, the same thing is not true to all people. This is because some people would love to be in risky, fearful and thrill-filled situations. Why? Read further to find out.
The Brain’s Amygdala and Frontal Lobes
The Amygdala is an almond-shaped area of the brain which can quickly assess an imminent threat or any potential danger. Once it senses a threat, it will send signals to the body telling the person to either fight, flee or freeze. This quick signaling in the amygdala enables us to immediately take action and get out of a fearful situation fast. Aside from the amygdala, we also have our frontal lobes which help us assess danger and send signals to the judgment and verbal information-processing centers of the brain. With all these mechanisms inside our brains, it is but reasonable for us to think that any fearful situation must be avoided. But, why is it that some people would love to indulge in adventures that are too dangerous? Why do people put their life at risk for the sake of that wonderful thrill they feel when going into bungee jumping or car racing? The worst thing about it is that these people love to do such dangerous adventures over and over again.
The Pleasure Seeking and Fear Signaling Brain Chemicals
Although researchers do not have the definitive answers yet, many agree that biology does play a vital role. The production of neurochemicals in the brain and testosterone, coupled with the amount of white matter in the brain seem to play a significant role why some people are born thrill seekers and why others are not.
The human brain has happy chemicals referred to as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and adrenaline. These are the chemicals in the brain that trigger the onset of positive and other feelings associated with being euphoric. Dopamine is being released into our body when we are about to take on something challenging. While adrenaline alerts us to action when we sense a threat. It is with the help of endorphins that we can endure a challenge. However, serotonin, dopamine, endorphin, and adrenaline are also highly addictive. This is because these brain chemicals make us feel good. The more we have them inside our system, the more we desire a particular action or event. This is the reason behind thrill-seeking individuals. They love to do challenging things because it makes them feel so great.They love being thrill seekers because their bodies have become addicted to the surge of brain chemicals that make them feel so good.
Psychological Factors Behind Thrill Seeking
In addition to these biological factors, psychological factors also contribute. Psychologists say that being a thrill seeker is somehow already rooted in a person’s personality. They are so energetic and so full of confidence. They feel like they are the ones in control of their fate. Once they climb up Mt. Everest, they are confident that they can come back and they will. Therefore, they never feel afraid of going up there because they believe they can go back to their homes after such adventure. But, if somebody else tells them not to do it because it is just too dangerous, they won’t listen to such advice. They feel that such statement is more like a rule than a safety advice. So, they go for it. They think they are in control of their fate, right?
For thrill-seeking individuals, fear gives them the chance to test their strength, endurance and ability to withstand fear itself. They love the thought of being able to get through it while others can’t. They feel like they have these superpowers that they can conquer just about any fearful situation. Although their bodies sense imminent danger, there's just something about them that they find it hard just to avoid it. So, off they go, and as they head towards that perilous moment and were able to get out of it safely, there is that feeling of happiness and ecstasy that no words could ever be enough to describe. Thus, the reason why you see them as happy people with all the smiles as they are about to go on an adventurous yet dangerous situation.
Thrill seekers are mostly easily-bored. This is why they always find a way to satisfy those surges of feel-good chemicals in their brains. Humans who are thrill seekers not only tend to search for novelty. They also have higher tendency to try out drugs and be addicted to it.
The Search for Unexpected Rewards
Studies reveal that individuals who have an active dopamine system are more likely to take more risks. This behavior is also motivated by the anticipation of a reward, whether intrinsic or extrinsic. Experts say that thrill seekers have this specific dopamine receptor that makes them so fond of seeking out challenge amid dangerous situations. This particular type of dopamine receptor is also linked to more significant responses to any unexpected things. And, it is for the same reason why thrill seekers love to try unexpected thrills where the rewards are not easy to anticipate. To them, it makes the entire adventure even more exciting.
Upbringing and Peer Pressure
Besides genetic hardwiring, how people are being brought up may also contribute towards developing that thrill-seeking behavior. Teenagers were also found to have higher tendency to seek risky situations. It’s not just because they love the excitement and the euphoria that they get out of it. But, also because of peer pressure.
The Low Arousal Theory
Another explanation behind that thrill-seeking behavior is the low arousal theory. Experts theorize that they are the kinds of people with lower baselines for arousal. This makes their bodies warrant a higher level of stimuli for them to reach that “pleasant” feeling. On the other hand, those who have a high baseline for arousal are more likely to find themselves experiencing high levels of arousal just by doing ordinary things amid a quiet room. There’s no need for them to go out and seek novelties just to feel elated and euphoric.
Why Older Adults Avoid Risky Adventures
But, as people get older their bodies will experience a drop of dopamine neurotransmitters.This makes them less likely to seek thrill-filled adventures and risky situations. A study which had 25,000 participants aged 18 to 69 years old revealed that older people were less likely to opt for risky gambles that might bring them more points. In this study, they used a smartphone app called The Great Brain Experiment. Another finding from the said study is that older people didn’t see significant rewards more attractive. This is why they merely avoid taking risks even though it means losing the chance to earn big rewards as well.
Besides, older adults become frailer as they age which is also another reason why they lose interest in taking risks especially those that require greater physical strength. So, thrill seekers, enjoy your adventures while you’re still young!
Comments
Post a Comment